South Africa vs Argentina LIVE: Rugby Championship result as Springboks win but miss out on title
South Africa 38-21 Argentina: The Springboks needed to beat the Pumas by 40 points to snatch the Rugby Championship away from the All Blacks
New Zealand were crowned Rugby Championship winners after South Africa fell short of an imposing target to snatch the title away from the All Blacks.
The All Blacks’ big 40-14 victory over Wallabies earlier on Saturday meant that the Springboks had to beat Argentina by 40 points to snatch the title away from New Zealand.
They fought valiantly in Durban but only managed a 38-21 victory as they missed a number of chances throughout the game and the Pumas hit back strongly in the second half.
It means the All Blacks retain the title they won last year, as the Springboks finish second in the table - level on points with New Zealand but crucially trailing in the points difference stakes.
Relive all the action with us below:
TRY! New Zealand 40-14 Australia
80 mins - Lineout sets up the driving maul. Bell’s carry takes them to a couple of metres out and it’s spread left where Koroibete comes back inside with a powerful carry.
On the 10th phase Jordan Petaia comes hard on crash ball and bursts over the line. Late consolation for Australia. Conversion easily added from bang in front
New Zealand 40-7 Australia
79 mins - Solid All Black defence, keeping Australia at arm’s length although they play the ball on the ground. Kick to the corner and Australia can have the last word at least. A lineout just outside of five metres.
New Zealand 40-7 Australia
78 mins - The All Blacks have played well but Australia have been desperately poor. The architects of their own downfall at times.
Final stages at Eden Park. Decent runs by Hodge and Wright take the Wallabies up to halfway.
PENALTY! New Zealand 40-7 Australia
76 mins - The All Blacks earn another penalty, in front of the posts and about five metres outside the 22. No problem for Richie Mo’unga, who slots it. 40 up for the All Blacks
New Zealand 37-7 Australia
75 mins - New Zealand flip the field with a series of carries in the blink of an eye. Caleb Clarke puts Tom Wright on the grass with a brutal carry, nifty footwork by Savea and Jordie Barrett then punches into the Wallabies 22.
Australia steal it and Petaia into touch. It’s definitely got scrappier as the match has gone on but it’s entertaining stuff
New Zealand 37-7 Australia
74 mins - Into the All Black 22 and Pete Samu carries off the back of the lineout, taking them inside five metres. Oh dear, turned over, Sevu Reece jackaling the ball and the All Blacks can build from deep.
New Zealand 37-7 Australia
72 mins - OOOOOF! Huge hit by Sevu Reece on Reece Hodge - an absolute crash of bodies. Hodge does well to retain possession and the Wallabies win a penalty shortly after but miss touch with the kick.
This has become very stop-start. When Australia win another penalty, they do find touch this time.
New Zealand 37-7 Australia
70 mins - Poor basic skills by the Wallabies as Foley knocks on in a Jordie Barrett tackle to see their platform evaporate.
The scrum on halfway is won but Mo’unga’s slightly aimless kick is collected by Hodge who booms a response into All Black territory
New Zealand 37-7 Australia
69 mins - A rare bit of Wallabies success at the scrum as they battle hard and win the penalty. A big clearance kick and they’ll have a lineout near halfway
New Zealand 37-7 Australia
67 mins - A foot-race as the All Blacks kick through but the Wallabies defence just about covers and gets to the ball first in the in-goal area.
Koroibete deemed to knock on in the process though, so it’s an All Blacks scrum five metres out. They’ve completely dominated at scrum-time today
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